The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

What is the doctrine of election? How much does your education affect your study of the Bible? How do we really put on the armor of God? Does Acts 13:48 support individual selection of some to be saved? What should we think about near-death experiences? What does "God swore by Himself" really mean? How do we get closer to God? If we have the mind of Christ, why do we need our minds renewed?

Here’s the final installment in our Romans series in which Paul says goodbye to friends and shares some deep and meaningful truths along the way. Here, you’ll learn about…

• false teachings
• women in church
• more on predestination!
• the “obedience of faith”

I hope you enjoy this message as our series in Romans reaches its dramatic finale!

Discussion Questions for Romans 15:22-16:27:

1. What are some of the key truths in the book of Romans that mean the most to you? Why?
2. How does Romans 15:22-27 show Paul’s commitment to spreading the message and the unity and generosity of the churches at that time?
3. What do you think Paul means by “the fullness of the blessing of Christ” (v. 29)?
4. This chapter offers several pieces of evidence that women were very active in the early church. What are they?
5. How does Romans 2:7 respond to the false teaching that everyone (the whole world) is in Christ?
6. Read verses 17-19. What sort of deceivers does Paul seem to be concerned about here?
7. As Paul closes out the letter (verses 25-27), how does he once again allude to the true meaning of predestination (the gospel going out to the Gentiles)?
8. What is the “obedience of faith” (verse 26)? In your own words, explain.

How did Jesus not lose anyone given to Him if Judas went to Hell? Did Jesus go to Hell for three days? How do you grieve the death of a parent when you’re twelve years old? Where does it actually say we’ll be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven? How did the books of the Bible get canonized?

Does Israel possess a special anointing or blessing related to medicine or technology? How did God give His only begotten Son if He simply went back to Heaven? Do we really give our life to God or does He give His life to us? Will the whole world realize the return of Christ is happening or just believers?

What part of us was crucified with Christ? How is it that we are new but still learn and grow? Are we made up of two parts or three parts? When do we receive our new bodies?

How should we view “the great commission”? I’m afraid I may have grieved the Holy Spirit and that He has left me. I feel nothing! Was David afraid of losing the Spirit? Did the Spirit come and go in the Old Testament?

How do you find a church focused on grace? What should the Christian life look like? Can Christians still struggle in a major way? Do children go to Heaven? What about people who lived before the Law? How does grace affect discipleship? What does “to whom much is given, much is required” mean?

The human body. A symphony. A flourishing garden. All three of these images offer us insight into how the church is designed to function. Find out why in this unifying and encouraging message on Romans 15.

Here you’ll learn that you’re “full of goodness” (yes, it’s okay to say that in church!) and that Christ wants to live through you. As a result, you’ll end up bragging on Jesus and all that He’s doing.

These insights and more come to us through the Apostle Paul – an architect, pioneer, and trailblazer. And in this chapter, Paul gives further help solving an important puzzle, as he offers more clues about the true meaning of predestination.

Discussion Questions for Romans 15:

1. Read verses 1-3. How do the analogies of the body’s organs and Lego construction help us understand this portion of the chapter?
2. Read verse 4. What was “written in earlier times”? How is it encouragement?
3. Read verses 5-6. How does the idea of a symphony capture the essence of what Paul is saying here? What is the “song” we play together?
4. Read verse 7 and react to Andrew’s statement: God is not in love with a future, better version of you!
5. Read verses 8-12. Given what we saw in chapters 9-11 of Romans, how do these verses further confirm the true message about predestination in Romans?
6. How might verse 13 cause you to picture a flourishing garden?
7. Read verses 14-16 and react to this statement: We are “full of goodness”, and we simply need bold reminders of it!
8. Read verses 17-18. What is Paul bragging about? Can you think of something Christ has accomplished through you? (Consider your story, your struggles, your life, your relationships, etc.). Share anything you feel comfortable sharing.
9. Read verses 19-21. Trailblazer. Pioneer. Architect. Evangelist. How do these words capture the essence of who Paul is? How might this excite you about the opportunity to share the message of God’s grace with a hurting world?